Indications for urinary catheterization are:

• Intermittent catheterization 
  • Collection of sterile urine sample.
  • Provide relief of discomfort from bladder distention.
  • Decompression of the bladder.
  • Measure residual urine.
  • Management of patients with spinal cord injury, neuromuscular degeneration, or incompetent bladders.

• Short-term indwelling catheterization
  • Post surgery and in critically ill patients to monitor urinary output. 
  • Prevention of urethral obstruction from blood clots with continuous or intermittent bladder irrigations 
  • Instillation of medication into the bladder. 
  • Surgical procedures involving pelvic or abdominal surgery repair of the bladder, urethra, and surrounding structures.
  • Urinary obstruction (e.g. enlarged prostate), acute urinary retention.

• Long-term indwelling catheterization
  • Refractory bladder outlet obstruction and neruogenic bladder with urinary retention.
  • Prolonged and chronic urinary retention.
  • To promote healing of perineal ulcers where urine may cause further skin breakdown.